Independence Day Weekend

Buckner, MO (July 1st, 2008)-The O'Reilly MLRA presented by Lucas Oil is set to light up the night sky with three huge races this Independence Day weekend. The first stop on the tour will take teams to the beautiful I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park in Greenwood, Nebraska on Wednesday night, July 2nd. This event is the make up for the previously postponed Alphabet Soup race which rained out Memorial Day Weekend. The second stop will see the MLRA visit the 24 Raceway in Moberly, MO on Thursday night July 3rd. The final leg of the weekend takes place at the Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Missouri on Friday night July 4th for another $3,000 to win show.

The 50 lap-$5,000 to win main event at the I-80 Speedway will showcase drivers from four traveling dirt late model series: the O'Reilly MLRA (Midwest Late Model Racing Association), the World Dirt Racing League (WDRL), the National Championship Racing Association (NCRA) and the Topless Outlaw Racing Association (TORA).

Racing on Wednesday starts at 7.00, with hot laps at 6:15. Pit Gates open at 3:00pm with front gates set to open at 5:00 Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $12 for juniors 13-18 with ID, $2 for kids 5-12 and kids under 5 are free. Race fans can pick up $5 off adult grandstand admission coupons from their Area Dodge Dealers.

I-80 Speedway is located off I-80 at exit 420 between Omaha and Lincoln and is part of the Nebraska Raceway Park complex, which also includes the Little Sunset Speedway go-kart track and Soaring Edge Motocross Park. I-80 to exit 420 (Ashland/Greenwood Exit), then 0.4 mile north on SR 63. For more information please visit www.neracewaypark.com, or email office@neracewaypark.com. Fans may also contact the Omaha general office during normal business hours Monday Friday, 9am-4pm at (402) 342-3453 or the track phone on race days at (402) 944-2233.

The teams will then load up and head south to 24 Raceway in Moberly, Missouri for the 4th Annual $3,000 to win Oscar White Memorial Firecracker Forty on Thursday night, July 3rd. A-Modifieds will also be on the card as they race for $1,000 to win. A huge fireworks display will cap off the evenings racing action.

Pit and Grandstand gates open at 5:30 on Thursday with hot laps at 6:45 and racing set to get underway at 7:30. Adult Grandstand admission is $18, with race fans (6-12) $5, and children under 5 admitted free to the speedway. Family Passes are also available for $40 which included up to 2 Adults and 3 Children. Pit Passes are $25. The 1/2 mile high banked clay oval is located 3 miles east of Moberly, Missouri on Highway 24. For more information please visit www.24racewayinmoberly.com or call the track office at (660) 269-9300.

The Moberly event will be a Midwest Walnut Lucky Stars Award event that will award an extra $1,000 to one lucky driver in the A Feature. The award winner will be determined by a draw, prior to the feature event, with positions 11-24 being eligible. To be eligible for the award, driver's must be an O'Reilly MLRA member and display the Midwest Walnut decal on their machine.

The third and final leg of the weekend will take the MLRA to the Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Missouri for Valley Speedway's Salute to Freedom. This will also be a $3,000 to win Main Event for the Late Models. Valley B-Mods will accompany the Late Models for a special points paying event. Valley Speedway is a 1/3rd mile oval.

Spectator gates on Friday night open at 4:00pm with a Drivers meeting scheduled for 6:30 followed by Hot Laps. Racing action is set to get underway at 7:30pm. Adult General Admission is $15, with race fans (6-12) just $5, and kids under 5 admitted free to the speedway. Pit Passes will be $25. The Speedway is located at 200 E. Old 40 Highway in Grain Valley, Missouri. Take exit #24 off Interstate 70, Drive south through Grain Valley on Buckner Tarsney Rd (Main Street), Turn left (east) at stoplight of Eagles Parkway (AA Highway / Old 40 Highway), follow Old 40 hwy east 1/8 mile to track entrance on north side of road. For more information please visit www.valleyspeedway.com or call (913) 535-4499.

The O'Reilly MLRA (Midwest Latemodel Racing Association) presented by Lucas Oil sanctions regional Super Dirt Late Model touring series events in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa.

For all the latest news and information on the O'Reilly MLRA please visit us on the web at www.mlraracing.com or by calling the series office at (816) 650-5063 or (816) 305-6572.

The O'Reilly MLRA would like to thank the sponsors of the 2008 Thunder Tour including O'Reilly Auto Parts, Midwest Walnut, Lucas Oil, Hoosier Race Tires, Hatfield Racing Engines, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Adrian Bank, Afco, GRT Race Cars, The Driveline Shop, Taylor Cable Products, Impact Racing Products, Sunoco Race Fuels, Weld Wheels, Bodee's Race Bodies, Outpace Racing Products, Duralite Racing Wheels, Impact Signs and Lighting, Rod End Supply, Racing Optics, Schoenfeld Headers, Kluhsman Racing Components, Performance Race Bodies, ATL Fuel Cells, Shepherd of the Hills Entertainment